Competitors face tight turns, rolls, and a “bamboo jungle” of closely-spaced bamboo poles, all before reaching the pond and attempting to skim across it.

“Amazingly, the event hasn’t really changed in 50 years,” says Winter Park Resort spokesman Steve Hurlbert, who notes that a new mini-obstacle course. “People who enjoyed Splash way back in year one would definitely recognize it today.”

So what’s the secret to success? Hurlbert advises participants to pick up their speed for the best chance of staying out of the drink. “The obstacle course is designed to take away momentum so once you’re through, you’re going to want to carry as much speed as possible down the final descent, which will carry you across the pond.”